Hosiery display package

ABSTRACT

A hosiery display package includes a support panel joined with a base for supporting displayed hosiery, and a sleeve movably coupled to the base. The sleeve is movable between a closed position in which the hosiery is secured within the package, and an open position in which hosiery is removable from the support panel.

This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/095,128, filed Sep. 8, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hosiery display package, and more particularly to a hosiery display package that facilitates securement of and access to displayed hosiery merchandise.

There are a variety of hosiery display packages. A simple hosiery display package includes a band adhered around a folded hosiery item. A plastic hanger is inserted between the fold and the band to support the product at the fold. The hanger includes a hook adapted to hang from a peg or a display. The band typically includes an adhesive that retains the product and a label providing product information. Typically, however, the adhesive creates multiple issues for retailers and consumers. For example, the adhesive may stick to the product and leave a residue after being removed. In some cases, the consumer may be required to remove the adhesive residue from the product. This can be unnecessarily burdensome. Alternatively, the adhesive may possibly damage the product when the band is removed. This is particularly problematic with fine mesh fabrics.

Another conventional hosiery display package includes a paperboard sleeve that surrounds the hosiery. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,522 to Thorneburg discloses a paperboard hosiery display hanger package including a hanger panel that is fixedly and immovably joined with a side panel, a front panel and yet another side panel. The front panel and two side panels form a sleeve within which folded socks can be forcibly inserted and secured in place. While this provides a holder for the socks if the sleeve is improperly sized too large, the socks can unintentionally slide out of the sleeve. On the other hand, if the sleeve is improperly sized too small, the socks can be difficult to remove from the sleeve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hosiery display package is provided that can move between a closed mode, in which the hosiery is at least partially concealed, and an open mode, in which the hosiery is at least partially exposed.

In one embodiment, the display package includes a support panel joined with a base for supporting displayed hosiery, and a sleeve movably coupled to the base. Specifically, the sleeve can be movable between a closed position in which the hosiery is secured within the package, and an open position in which hosiery may be removed from the support panel.

In another embodiment, the base can include a front panel and a rear panel. At least one of the front panel and the rear panel can define a track. The sleeve can be slidably positioned at least partially within the track so that the sleeve moves relative to the base, and optionally the support panel.

In still another embodiment, the support panel can be foldably joined with the base front panel. Optionally, a second support panel can be joined in opposing relation to the support panel. Optionally, the support panels can be joined directly with the base front panel. The hosiery can be folded over one or both of these support panels along a fold line to support the hosiery.

In yet another embodiment, the sleeve can include a front panel, opposing side panels, and a rear panel joined with the front panel via the opposing side panels.

In a further embodiment, the sleeve can include at least one slider panel. Optionally, the slider panel can be positioned within the track so that the track of the base guides the slider panel and thus the sleeve relative to the base.

In yet a further embodiment, the slider panel can be joined with the side panels of the sleeve and positioned a preselected distance away from the rear sleeve panel to define a cavity between the slider panel and the rear sleeve panel. The base rear panel can be disposed within that cavity. The slider panel can be positioned to hold the sleeve front panel and the base front panel a preselected distance away from one another so that the hosiery or other merchandise can fit therebetween when the display package is in a closed mode.

In a further embodiment, a method is provided which can include: providing a hosiery display package including a sleeve slidably joined with a base, the base including at least one support panel that supports hosiery folded along a fold line, the hosiery being at least partially concealed by the sleeve in a closed mode; sliding the sleeve and base relative to one another to expose at least a portion of the support panel and the hosiery in an open mode; and removing the hosiery from the support panel. Optionally, the base can include a second, opposing support panel that can be folded over the hosiery first portion to further secure the hosiery relative to the package. Further optionally, the method can include the step of moving the second support panel away from the other support panel and the supported hosiery to expose the hosiery, thereby enabling it to be removed from the support panel.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a current embodiment of a hosiery display package in a closed mode;

FIG. 2 is a second front view of the hosiery display package, with a sleeve of the package moved relative to the base;

FIG. 3 is third front view of the hosiery display package, with the hosiery exposed, in an open mode;

FIG. 4 is a fourth front view of the hosiery display package with a support panel open to further expose the hosiery in an open mode;

FIG. 5 is a fifth front view of the hosiery display package, with the hosiery removed, in an open mode;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hosiery display package showing a track defined by the base;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the track defined by the base in a partially open mode;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the hosiery display package showing a slider panel within the track; and

FIG. 9 is a top view showing support panels folded within the sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A CURRENT EMBODIMENT

A current embodiment of the present hosiery display package is illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 and generally designated 10. The hosiery display package 10 can include a base 20 to which a sleeve 40 is slidably joined. The display package can be configured to display hosiery 100 or any other elongated garment or other suitable object as desired. In general, the components of the hosiery display package described herein can be constructed of paperboard, plastic, foil, wood or any other material as desired.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6-9, the base 20 can include a base front panel 22 and a base rear panel 26. The base front panel 22 and base rear panel 26 can be separated from one another a preselected distance 28. This distance can be altered, but generally can be about ¼ inch, an ⅛ inch, 1/16 inch, 1/32 inch or any other dimension as desired. At least one of the base front panel 22 and base rear panel 26 can be joined by an upper panel 27 and a lower panel 29. These panels 27, 29 can separate the base front panel 22 and the base rear panel 26 the preselected distance 28 as desired. Optionally, the upper and lower panels 27, 29 can be absent altogether with the ends of the base front panel and base rear panel simply adhered or otherwise joined together, with a remainder of the base front panel and base rear panel disconnected to provide a sliding track 24 therebetween.

The upper panel 27 can define an aperture 25 within which an optional hook 50 can be positioned. Optionally, this construction can be substituted with a configuration wherein the base front panel and/or base rear panel 22, 26 define a die cut corresponding to a hook 50 so that hosiery display package can be positioned on a peg for display (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Moving to FIGS. 2-4 and 7-9, the base 20 can include support panels 30, for example, a first support panel 32 and a second support panel 34. The support panels 30 can be die cut from the same panel as at least one of the front panel or the rear panel, or simply can be adhered to either of the front or rear base panels. These support panels can be configured to fold inward toward the front base panel, and can be configured in opposing folding relation relative to one another as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. At least one of the opposing support panels 32, 34 can include an upper support edge 33, 35 respectively. These upper support edges 33, 35 can be configured to support an article of hosiery 100 along a fold 102 (FIG. 4). Optionally, the support panels 30 can overlap when in a folded position. For example, the support panels 30 can be configured so that the hosiery 100, when folded thereover, is divided into a first portion 104 and a second portion 106. The first portion 104 can be positioned between a rear surface 52 of the first support panel 34 and a front surface 54 of the base front panel 22. The second portion 106 of the hosiery can be positioned adjacent the front surface 31 of the first support panel 34. Optionally, the second support panel 32 can be configured so that a rear surface 56 thereof is positioned adjacent the second portion 106 of the hosiery when the second support panel 32 is folded in opposing relation to the first support panel 34.

While two support panels 32 and 34 are shown in the illustrated embodiments, any suitable number of support panels 30 can be included in the display package 10. For example, multiple support panels 30 could be included on each side of the base 20. Further, the support panels 30 can be formed in any shape suitable to support the hosiery 100 or other article that may be desired to be displayed in the package 10. For example, the support panels 30 can be generally rectangular in shape with rounded edges, as shown in the illustrated embodiments, or they could be square, circular, oval, or in the shape of character.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, the sleeve 40 can assist in retaining the hosiery. In particular, the sleeve 40 can be removably positioned over the support panels 30 and can optionally hold the support panels 30 in closed or folded configuration. The sleeve 40 can also conceal and retain all or a portion of the hosiery 100. The sleeve 40 can include a front panel 42, opposing side panels 41 and 43 and a rear panel 44, as shown in FIGS. 7-8. The side panels 41 and 43 can be positioned a preselected distance from one another so that at least one of the base front panel 22 and base rear panel 26 can fit between those elements. The sleeve front panel 42 and sleeve rear panel 44 can be separated from one another a preselected distance, which can optionally be generally matched to the depth of the hosiery 100 when it is folded over the support panels 30, such that the hosiery 100 and support panels 30 all fit within the sleeve 40. Optionally, the sleeve 40 can conceal the support panels 30 when the package 10 is viewed from a front view (e.g., FIG. 1). Further, the sleeve 40 can be configured so that the sleeve front panel 42 contacts the support panel 32 when the package 10 is in a closed mode, and more particularly, the front surface 58 of the second panel 32 can be configured to engage the inside surface 60 of the front panel 42 in this closed mode.

Optionally, at least one of the panels 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the sleeve can be die cut or otherwise formed in any suitable, desired shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the top edge 45 of the sleeve front panel 42 can be asymmetrical and/or at an angle, such that the sleeve front panel 42 increases in length from left to right. The asymmetrical top edge 45 can enable a portion of the hosiery 100 to be exposed above the sleeve front panel 42. Alternatively, the sleeve front panel 40 can be cut in the shape or form of a character or portion of the character, and the character can optionally be illustrated on the front surface of the sleeve front panel 42.

The sleeve 40 can further include a slider panel 46 as shown in FIG. 8. The slider panel 46 can extend between the side walls 41 and 43 and can include optional attachment flaps 47 and 49 that are joined with those panels 41 and 43. The attachment panels 47 and 49 can be adhered directly to the side panels 41 and/or 43 as the application requires. Alternatively, the attachment panels 47 and 49 can be completely absent, with the ends of the slider panel 46 adjacent the side panels 41 and 43 adhered, glued, fastened, integrally formed or otherwise joined with the sleeve front panel 42, the sleeve rear panel 44, or any other panel of the sleeve as desired. For example, the ends of the slider panel 46 can be simply adhered to the rear slider panel 44, with the middle region of the slider panel 46 free, and a panel of the base placed between that middle region and the rear slider 44. The slider panel 46 can be of a preselected width 48 that is sufficient to hold the sleeve 40 relative to the base 20. Optionally, the slider panel 46 can be configured so that when the sleeve is in a fully open mode, the slider panel 46 engages the upper panel 27 with a portion of the sleeve 40 positioned a preselected distance at least partially above the upper panel 27.

Alternatively, the slider panel 46 can be absent from the sleeve. In this construction, the rear panel 44 of the sleeve can be positioned within the track 24 of the base and adapted to slide within the track. Optionally, the rear panel 44 can include a tab or a stop or a recess adapted to engage a corresponding tab, stop or recess of the base 20 to restrict sliding movement of the sleeve beyond a desired configuration. Alternatively, the track 24 could also be absent from the base 20. In this construction, the sleeve 40 could be movably joined with another potion of the base 20. For example, the sleeve 40 could be foldably or pivotally joined with the base front panel 22, such that the sleeve 40 could fold or pivot between the closed and open modes.

As desired, any portion of the surfaces of any of the panels of the sleeve and/or base can be used as an information area to display product or other information such as by applying labels or printing directly on those surfaces. The thickness of each of the panels can be selected based on the desired rigidity of the package or other material cost concerns.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the operation of the display package 10 will now be described. There, the hosiery 100 is stored and secured within the display package 10 with the sleeve 40 secured around at least a portion of the hosiery 100. In this configuration, the display package generally is in a closed mode. The hosiery 100 is supported with the sleeve 40 by support panels 30. Optionally, the hosiery is folded over the first support panel 34, with the second support panel 32 folded over the first support panel 34 and a portion of the hosiery 100.

To open the package, a user can slide the sleeve 40 upward, within the track 24 (FIGS. 8, 9). Accordingly, the support panels 34 and 32 become partially exposed along with the second portion 106 of the hosiery 100 as shown in FIG. 2. There, the second support panel 32 is folded in opposing relation to the first support panel 34, thereby securing the second portion of the hosiery 106 between the first and second support panels 32, 34. The remaining portion 104 of the hosiery is positioned behind the first support panel 34, optionally between that panel and the front base panel 22.

As the sleeve 40 slides upward in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 2, the slider panel 46 moves and slides within the track 24. Due to the constrainment of the optional slider panel 46 within the track 24, the sleeve is provided with a clean sliding action. The sleeve 40 can continue to slide relative to the base 20 as desired until the slider panel 46 engages a component of the base 20. As described in the embodiments above, this engagement occurs when the upper edge of the slider panel 46 engages the upper panel 27 of the base. Of course, other stop mechanisms can be built into the base and/or sleeve to provide the desired amount of opening relative to these components in moving from a closed mode to an open mode.

Moving to FIG. 3, the fold 102 of the hosiery 100 is exposed. A user can optionally move the second support panel 32 away from the hosiery 100 to free the second portion 106. This is better illustrated in FIG. 4, where the second support panel 32 is moved away from the first support panel 34. The user can then move the second portion 106 even farther away from the first support panel 34 to further access the hosiery 100. As desired, the first support panel 34 can likewise be folded away from the hosiery 100 to provide additional access to the hosiery 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hosiery 100 has been completely removed from the display package 10. After being removed from the package 10, the hosiery 100 or another piece of hosiery or other item can optionally be reinserted into the package 10 by folding the hosiery over one of the support panels 30, folding the support panels 30 closed, and sliding the sleeve back over the support panels 30 and hosiery 100.

The above descriptions are those of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 

1. A hosiery display package comprising: a base including a track and a first support panel adapted to support at least a portion of a hosiery article along a fold line of the hosiery; a sleeve including a sleeve front panel and a slider panel, the slider panel slidably joined with the track; wherein the sleeve is adapted to slidably move relative to the first support panel from a closed mode in which the sleeve at least partially conceals the hosiery to an open mode in which the hosiery is exposed a sufficient amount to enable a user to remove the hosiery from the first support panel.
 2. The display package of claim 1 wherein the base includes a base front panel and a base rear panel, wherein the track is defined between the base front and base rear panels.
 3. The display package of claim 2 wherein the first support panel is movably joined with the base front panel.
 4. The display package of claim 3 wherein a second support panel is movably joined with the base front panel in opposing relation to the first support panel.
 5. The display package of claim 4 wherein the first and second support panels at least partially overlap when in a folded position.
 6. The display package of claim 2 wherein the sleeve includes opposing sleeve side panels, and a sleeve rear panel joined with the sleeve front panel by the opposing sleeve side panels.
 7. The display package of claim 6 wherein the slider panel is joined with the sleeve side panels and positioned a preselected distance away from the sleeve rear panel to define a cavity between the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
 8. The display package of claim 7 wherein the base rear panel is disposed within the cavity between the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
 9. The display package of claim 8 wherein the slider panel is positioned to hold the sleeve front panel a preselected distance away from the base front panel, wherein the first and second support panels and at least a portion of the hosiery can fit within the preselected distance when the first and second support panels are in a folded position.
 10. The display package of claim 4 wherein the second support panel includes an inner surface facing the hosiery and an opposite outer surface, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve is adapted to engage the outer surface of the second support panel in the closed mode.
 11. A hosiery display package comprising: a base including first and second support panels, wherein at least one of the first and second support panels is adapted to support at least a portion of a hosiery article along a fold line of the hosiery; a sleeve movably joined with the base, wherein the sleeve is adapted to move relative to the first support panel from a closed mode in which the sleeve at least partially conceals the hosiery, to an open mode in which the hosiery is exposed a sufficient amount to enable a user to remove the hosiery from the first support panel.
 12. The display package of claim 11 wherein the first and second support panels are foldably joined to the base on opposing sides of the base.
 13. The display package of claim 12 wherein the second support panel overlaps at least a portion of the first support panel in a folded position.
 14. The display package of claim 11 wherein the sleeve includes a sleeve front panel, opposing sleeve side panels, a sleeve rear panel, and a slider panel movable relative to the base.
 15. The display package of claim 14 wherein the slider panel is joined with the sleeve side panels and is positioned a preselected distance relative to the sleeve rear panel to define a cavity between the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
 16. The display package of claim 15 wherein the base includes a base front panel and a base rear panel disposed within the cavity between the slider panel and the sleeve rear panel.
 17. The display package of claim 16 wherein the slider panel is positioned to hold the sleeve front panel a preselected distance away from the base front panel, wherein the first and second support panels and at least a portion of the hosiery can fit within the preselected distance when the first and second support panels are in a folded position.
 18. A method of displaying hosiery comprising: providing a hosiery display package including a sleeve slidably joined with a base, the base including a first support panel that supports hosiery folded along a fold line, the hosiery being at least partially concealed by the sleeve in a closed mode; sliding the sleeve and the base relative to one another to expose at least a portion of the support panel and the hosiery in an open mode; and removing the hosiery from the support panel in the open mode.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the base includes a second support panel, wherein the method further comprises sliding the sleeve and the base relative to one another to at least partially enclose the first and second support panels and the hosiery.
 20. The method of claim 19 further including the step of moving the second support panel away from the first support panel and the supported hosiery to expose the hosiery when in an open mode. 